Pipes That Go Bump in the Night

Water flowing in pipes can cause all kinds of weird noises. We all know what water running through a pipe sounds like, but what about some of those other plumbing sounds – like creaks or cracking sounds, rattling, whistling and the most annoying or scary of them all, that loud banging noise? Let’s look at what causes those sounds and how you can fix them. You should be able to manage most of these, but if the problem persists you should seek the service of your Brentwood plumber. He can easily handle any pipe repair or installation that may be necessary.

Creaks or a cracking sound
These are usually caused by the expansion and contraction of the water pipes themselves. As hot water runs through a pipe, it naturally heats the pipe, causing it to expand slightly. Once the water stops flowing, the pipe cools and the metal contracts, resulting in the creaking or cracking sound. The easiest way to fix this is to put some insulation around the pipe, or if the pipe is running through a tight fitting hole in the wood framing, cut a notch in the framing so the pipe can expand and then contract without that creaking sound.

Rattling
The cause and remedy are similar to the cracking sound. The rattling sound comes from the pressure of water running through a loosely attached pipe, causing it to vibrate slightly. When a loose pipe vibrates against something solid, like framing or the strapping designed to hold it tightly, you hear the rattling sound. Stopping the pipe from vibrating will fix the rattle. Put some cushioning around the pipe or fasten the strapping more securely so the pipe won’t vibrate.

Whistling
This is usually caused by water flowing through a restricted section of the plumbing. The restriction can be sediment in the pipe or a defective washer or valve. If the whistling only occurs when a particular faucet is turned on, that’s likely where the problem is, and replacing the washer or repairing the valve seat should fix it. However, if the whistling sound occurs when any faucet is turned on, the problem is more likely in the main water supply valve itself. Adjusting the water pressure at the main water valve may dislodge the impediment, or the change in water pressure itself could get rid of the whistling sound. If that doesn’t eliminate the problem, you may have to get the water valve replaced. This is most likely a task for your Brentwood plumber.

Banging
The loud banging sound when you shut off the water flow is actually called “water hammer,” and is a fairly common complaint in older Brentwood homes. The flow of water through the pipes contains energy, and when the flow is abruptly stopped, this energy causes the loud banging sound. Initially a home’s plumbing system was built with short pieces of pipe that filled with air and acted as air cushions to absorb the water’s energy when the flow was stopped abruptly. However, over time the air has leaked out, meaning there is no air cushion left to absorb the water energy.

You can put that air cushion back into your plumbing system by turning off the main water supply and opening all the faucets in your Brentwood home to drain the system. Next, turn the water supply back on and work your way up through the house, turning off the faucets as water flows through them. This should trap some air in the air chamber so it will once again provide the cushioning effect. If this doesn’t work, you can buy a “water hammer arrester” that attaches directly to the water supply pipe where the water hammer originates.

If your Brentwood plumbing is making any of these sounds, you should be listening because it’s telling you it needs some plumbing maintenance. The sound is caused by something not working properly in your system and if you ignore it, over time, that small sound could lead to larger problems.
Read more: https://www.doityourself.com/stry/waterhammer#ixzz1mHkQ1peF

For the longest time, identifying issues within your home's sewer or plumbing systems consisted of a great deal of guesswork and could often result in a great deal of damage to your home in the process. Fortunately, with advancements in technology over recent years, the process of identifying plumbing and sewer line issues within the home have become easier, faster, and more accurate than ever, and it's thanks in large part to the accessibility of video inspection services. With so much of your plumbing system hidden from view, identifying plumbing issues was always a bit difficult, but with video inspections, we are able to give your plumbing system a more thorough inspection than ever before, and all without having to take apart your plumbing to do so. To help highlight just a few of the benefits offered by video inspections for your home's plumbing and sewer system, our team of professionalRead More

Now that spring has finally arrived, many homeowners are choosing to get outside and tackle that long list of outdoor projects that have been on hold over the course of the winter. Even tho the milder weather and temperatures make this time of year ideal for tackling those outdoor improvements, it is important that you don't forget about the other vital aspects of your home that you can't see during this time of year, like your plumbing system. While it might not seem like spring is a time of year where you need to be overly concerned about something going wrong with your plumbing system, there are several plumbing issues that tend to be more common during this time of year, and it pays to know what you should be on the lookout for, and what you can do to keep these issues from getting out of hand. To help you in this, our team of professionals have taken the time to put together this short article highlighting exactly what some of these issues are, and what you can do to keep them in check.
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If you are looking for a professional Brentwood plumber, give us a call today at 925-470-0142 or fill out our online request form.Read More